Order and tradition: José Lins do Rego's regionalist conversion

Abstract

This essay outlines the intellectual biography of the young José Lins do Rego during the years 1919 1924, considering the cultural, social and political contexts of the period. Of particular interest is his encounter with Gilberto Freyre and the impact that the dialogue which he established with his new friend from Pernambuco had in his work. The essay focuses on some of their early writings and indi cates certain affinities, particularly with the group of Catholics and spiritualists from Rio de Janeiro and above all the figure of Jackson de Figueiredo. Their defense of order and tradition in the early 1920's constitutes one of the elements on the basis of the traditionalist re gionalism that would be practiced during the 1930's.